Social media sites erode workplace privacy

Relevant offers

Colleagues posting embarrassing photos of one another on social media sites is contributing to a widespread breakdown of workplace privacy, a new international study suggests.

Co-workers using social media sites to make unwanted romantic advances is also said to be blurring the distinction between work and home life.

The findings, based on surveys with 4000 social media users in 10 countries, were published by internet security firm AVG Technologies on Monday as part of its Digital Diaries studies series.

"This study highlights the need for a combination of greater education around social media, alongside increased attention and care by both employees and employers to their social media etiquette at work," the company said.

Six out of 10 who took part in the research said social media sites have eroded their expectation of privacy at work.

Many of the participants said they now limit what they post online.

Other concerns raised by employees included cyber bullying at work and managers discovering embarrassing or incriminating information on social media sites.